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Subscribe to RSSLibyan Jewish exile David Gerbi visited the abandoned Dar Bishi synagogue in Tripoli Saturday, and said that he is the first Jew to return to Libya since the revolt that ousted Moammar Gadhafi.
The 12-year-old Gerbi and his family fled Tripoli in 1967 when an Arab-Israeli war stoked anger against the Jewish
Suhaib Salem / Reuters
Libyan Jewish exile David Gerbi prays inside Dar Bishi synagogue in Tripoli on October 1. Gerbi and his family fled Tripoli in 1967 when an Arab-Israeli war stoked anger against the Jewish state and led to attacks on Jews in his neighborhood.
Joseph Eid / AFP - Getty Images
A picture shows the Ten Commandments written in Hebrew on stone tablets on top of an abandoned synagogue in the Libyan capital Tripoli on September 28. The Jewish community in Libya dates back to the third century BC and at its peak numbered around 38,000 people.
Suhaib Salem / Reuters
Libyan Jewish exile David Gerbi is helped by an anti-Gadhafi fighter upon exit from the Dar Bishi synagogue in Tripoli on October 1.
Reuters reports:
In the walled old city of Tripoli, Libya's independence flag pokes through crumbling buildings and a gang of children wielding toy pistols tear through dusty alleyways.
In these run-down streets stands the empty, faded peach-colored Dar Bishi synagogue.
The interior can only be seen by climbing up the rubble of a collapsed house and the ark, which would normally shelter the sacred Torah scroll, is instead stuffed with a mattress.
The Hebrew inscription above it "Hear, O Israel" is barely perceptible from wear, and empty paint cans are strewn across the floor. The site of the Mikve baths, used once for ritual cleansing, is now a trash dump where stray cats scour for food next to a discarded washing machine as veiled women look on. Continue reading.
Read the latest from Libya in our story, Red Cross gets medicine into besieged Sirte, and see more images from the conflict in our slideshow.
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$$$, the media is filled with the sufferings of the poor, poor Palestinians. And I will tell you how pro-Israeli the media is. Recently I saw four movies and miniseries about Bobby Kennedy...and not one saw fit to mention that he was killed by a Palestinian terrorist.
And kib, you will be disappointed to learn that DNA testing shows that the Jews and Arabs do indeed share the same ancestry...despite that Jew-baiting babble about Khazars.
Great!
now
if i support Palestinians in their struggle against Israel
Does that make me anti-semitic?
that's what i want to know.
If i am against usury
corrupt banking
zionist practices
does that make me anti-semitic?
why does speaking truth
about crimes committed by the Israeli government
Rothschild banking
make me anti-semitic?
and if you believe Kennedy was killed by one, lone Palestinian
who had nothing to gain by it
and that it wasn't a group effort
just like his brother
just like his son
by people protecting their interests
then you have a lot more studying to do........
did the movie mention
that JFK was in the process of
returning fiscal rights to the Treasury [the bill was signed and money already printed when he died...all that has been safely tucked away...no questions asked]
kicking out the Fed Res and Central banking
and cleaning out the CIA and other agencies of corrupt influences?
who did the DNA testing....btw? How can i read up on the process and the results?
Israel would be better served by promoting peace and justice and letting the Palestinians have their own state. Let the Palestianians handle their own problems and Israel theirs. Why should they have to be saddled with the Palestinians, anyway? Let them be free to mind their own business. It takes nothing away from Israel to do so and present circumstances are just making them look like the very nazis they complain about.
Israel could live in peace very easily. They have the muscle to back it up. Let the rest of the world see Arab duplicity and strive to promote truth and justice. But this, this is a farce. Everyone has a lot to answer for, Israel included. Let Israel stand up and say ENOUGH! Take your state and leave us be in peace, knowing that your aggression against us will lead to your own annihilation. Let Israel concentrate on Israel and let the rest of the world back off, leting each state live in peace to handle it's own affairs....and they would...will central banking allow for that? Can the world live without usury? I hope so. Wars raised and fought to serve corporate and banking interests at the costs of the lives of the population should be condemned.
Let Israel be about peace and truth and justice and equality. Let it remove itself from this farce, give the Palestinians their state and let the world see where the true problem lies. If the arab semites are the problem, the world will see it. If it's corporate or banking or somewhere else, let the trail be followed to its source and let the source be dealt with and removed.
Too many fingers are pointing at Israel, it is true. let them remove themselves from the fray and see where the problem persists. Then Israel will stand and be able to say that it wasn't them and we will all apologize. Until then...they will have to prove their innocence, just like everybody else in the world. Hey, nobody's better or worse than anybody else, right?
of course, the media would have to tell the truth to get to the heart of the matter...
governments will have to be honest
banks would have to be transparent
religions would have to confess
people would have to realize that race doesn't matter
and evil is an individual choice
just like good is.........
the fact that they join in groups is just to enhance their individual choices
only God knows who has truly chosen Him.......
hey
nevermind..........
only God will be able to sort this mess out..
maybe they're right about goyim, after all
stupid is as stupid does.........or is that anti-goyism?
Kibodabi I do not know if you are anti whatever I do read from your word written you are anti Normal go see a doctor you are hurting for whatever reason you need help and quick.
Kib, you can google the genetic studies easily enough. Plenty are available. If you can't be bothered, I can get links for you.
that would be great...thanks....i appreciate that.
I thank the Vine for removal of my comments . They were too much from my heart and experience to be of any value here . In many cases , comments here are jokes or just for someone to say something hateful and nothing is meant to change here anyway. The sincere have disappeared and those of good heart are shot down by the majority . Any story involving Jews of any type gets fouled up in the comments .
Actually, the minute the Bible is mentioned , the Scopes Trail is revisited .
Hairfarmer above quote about the land being given to Israel is right , but what he fails to point out is that G-d chased us Jews off of the land , and to an exile to live among self destructive countries who profess to live under G-d , yet have values and laws as Hairfarmer indicates that value the al mighty dollar which he implies greater than G-d . Actually that system is called Capitalism , but Capitalism according to the oath I took is supposed to be UNDER G-D . THIS MEANS UNDER G-DS LAWS AND BIBLE . IF IT IS NO LONGER UNDER G-DS ' LAWS AND the BIBLE FIRST AND UNDER CAPITALISM FIRST , I WISH THEY WOULD STOP MAKING PEOPLE TAKE A OATH OF A LIAR . Do you think making up ones mind if G-d is first and capitalism second or capitalism is first and G-d is second can be done uniformly . In the schools , capitalism is first and G-d is taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Again , they wonder why our public schools are doing so poorly . Well the public schools of our nation are not under G-d , in such States as New York. In NYC schools the words Christmas is mentioned but Christmas is not explained . The religious holiday is a disconnect , but is actually a vacation , not religious observance
Chuck -- the only place "under God" comes into play is the McCarthyism of the 50's. That's when "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Interestingly, it was written by a minister who saw NO NEED to put "under God" into it in the first place. Also another little fact, his daughter OPPOSED the addition!!! What say you to that?
America is NOT "under God". The law of the land is the Constitution and God is not there (nor Jesus, nor any mention of Christianity). The only references to religion expressly FORBID a state religion or a religious test to hold office.
Now, I have nothing against it. If you want to be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, whatever -- please feel free. That's the great part about this country!
But if you want to look at why our public schools are doing poorly, I'd respectfully suggest it has nothing to do with the Pledge of Allegiance. It has much more to do with parents not taking responsibility for their children and their children's education.
P.S. Christmas was originally pagan -- you did know that, right?
All you anti-semetic bastards are just jealous that jews strive to live a meaningful life and you have nothing but hate in your heart and hate in your life. i'm so sorry for your pitiful existence.
Interestingly I find everyone defines what they read as they please not as is now instead of thinking how to outsmart one another maybe we could instill some love so we do not ignite more hate Please G_D wipe out and heal these broken hateful sinful souls
This is an inspiring story that, inevitably, Newsvine commenters have managed to turn into a political s**tstorm. Good luck to the Libyans, regardless of their faith, as they reconstruct their nation.
A Jew once kicked my puppy....Or was that me?....Or did my puppy say he kicked some Jewish dogs a$$?
Oh well...I liked the comment...Jews and puppies...Reminds me of Sammy Davis....;)
Let us not forget the immeasurable suffering and misery of those in Gaza due to israeli policy--there should be a story on them. An excellent book is, "The Israeli Holocaust Against The Palestinians", by Hoffman and Lieberman.
The protestors on Wall Street are standing up for the ordinary person, just like the President in the White House is. You Repugs hate the common person and love big corporations.
I don't know if this guy is incredibly brave or stupid. Probably both but I hope he stays safe and if Libya decides to welcome Jews back into their country then I would say there is real hope for a positive future for these people. Unfortunately after reading the Quran and watching the ME for over twenty five years I don't think a leopard changes its spots so if I were a Jew I think I would not spend a dime in this country with the hope of remaining. These people will let them invest and then run them off or murder them.
This is wonderful news, and may God bless this brave soul for going back.
This is a great opportunity for the Creator's children...all of them..to learn how to live together again...keep their different approaches to the Father to themselves...and be respectful of each other.
Wouldn't it be great if Libya could become a truly "new" Arab state, mindful of its own very unique history that includes St Augustine, St Monica and Hannibal, and I assume the legendary "St Simon of Cyrene" who helped Christ carry his cross.
Libya has so much more to give the world other than its natural resources. Its people are much more important to the life of the world than its "black gold". Hopefully they will come to realize this and their leaders will make strident efforts to improve their lives through education, infrastructure, and contact with the rest of the world that will diminish their dependence on tribalism for security.
Jews seem to be a part of the environment in Tunisia...Why not Libya?
Well done!
I have just one request, can anybody explain to me how calling yourselves god’s chosen people isn’t raciest? After all you’re saying that god has elevated you above other humans and that in the eyes of the divine creator that you are more special and important than other non-chosen people.
Just like the Muslims think everyone is an infidel and whatever they do in the name of Allah to expand Islam is acceptable. Most religions have tried to use some twist to insure followers remain followers. However the Muslims were instructed by Mohamed to kill anyone who defected. The last time I looked the Christians Buddhist's Hindu's and Jews have not ordered anyone killed for leaving their religion.
fight for freedom-2341533
I’m sorry was that in reply to my question? Because you didn’t really answer the question, you just wrote another “Muslims are evil” post and to be honest I’ve read hundreds of those
Losmuertos yes I did answer your question you just did not want to see it. As I said most religions use some kind of twist to insure followers remain followers. Christians have their bent the son of God Muslims have theirs and Jews have theirs. I would have to know more about the Buddist Hindu and Zenists to make an evaluation of the use this superiority strategy being used to hold followers to a particular religion. Your attacking the Jews but not recognizing other groups guilty of the same strategy.
fight for freedom-2341533
Actually I wasn’t attacking anybody as I’m already aware that members of the three main monotheistic religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) claim themselves as god’s chosen people I was asking how can such a view be not seen as racist?
Because dear racism is about race not religion and all these religions have different races within them. Islam is the only contemporary example of these religions killing other Muslims because they were black Muslims or Shiites etc at least on a massive scale. Look up the word racism.
fight for freedom-2341533
Again with the attacks on Muslims I see, it’s almost like you have a chip on your shoulder or a grudge to settle regarding em, oh well none of my business. However if you want to bring up specific religions then I might have to point out that the line regarding race and religion is very blurry with Jews as many claim that they are both (indeed this is the official line of Israel) a unique race and a theology. So again "god's chosen people" seems racist
According to your blurry interpretation of racism then all religions are racist. I do not have a chip on my shoulder but see Islam for what it is a violent misogynistic theocracy and if you wish to ignore the facts and behaviors then so be it. I also see the problems with capitalism when it is allowed to operate without regulation as well. Does that mean I am a socialist? No it does not although there are elements of socialism in our government (ex: post office police etc.)
fight for freedom-2341533
You know what? Out of the 3 Abrahamic religions I do think they are pretty racist, that is not to say however that all their followers are as it has been my experience that people of faith pick and choose the parts they wish to follow, as for the whole Muslim thing, well it’s up to you how you wish to treat it but I’ll just say that your arguments can just as easily be used to describe the other faiths too (you know the violent, misogynistic theocracy stuff) but again I think most people pick and choose the parts of their religion they wish to follow. In regards to capitalism vs. socialism well to be honest I’m a centralist, I'm quite happy in saying that both systems have benefits to offer people and that going to extreme in either one is bad. But hey that’s just me
It is for me a matter of degree and if we are looking at contemporary practice then I don't think you can compare Christians or Judaism misogyny to Muslim misogyny. Example forced marriages forced conversions rape within marriage is acceptable and in customs within some African Muslim dominated countries female genital mutilations. Lets not forget honor killings that have even happened in the US. We don't see in either Christian or Judaism these behaviors religious practices or customs happening. Are there individual that murder women etc yes but these practices are not accepted as normal or acceptable behavior. So this is why I speak out against these practices and identify them. With regards to the theocracy issue then again it is a matter of degree. The US was founded on Judeo-Christian principles but the US has clear lines separating religious agendas from legislation nor can it be used in a court of law. There are believe a few instances in the world that do allow Christian Churches to influence legislation. But so far they are not advocating forced conversions rape within marriage etc etc. I do think that the harder Islam pushes for expansion the stronger the resistance will be by Christians and it has and will continue to lead to backlash. If you are not a Muslim then I would suggest you read about Mohamed's life and the Quran so that you can truly understand why anyone following his example will bring much suffering to the world.
fight for freedom-2341533
Well that is fair enough, but I don’t think that just because Muslim misogynistic practices are worst then their contemporary Christian and Jewish counter-parts doesn’t mean that the comparisons don’t have weight. After all the bible does have some truly horrific commands in it but those just get glossed over with claims of “we don’t do that now” which whilst they are true doesn’t remove the fact that they are there. This brings me back too most people pick and choose what parts of their religion they wish to follow, to which I say Muslims are no exception. Finally as for the whole America was founded on Judo-Christian principles, well again that’s up to you although I was always told America was founded on secular principles , hence the separation of church and state and so forth. But then again being as I’m European I wouldn’t really know for sure
Without a doubt Judaism could be truly horrific in their punishments of who they considered sinners if you look at early Judaism. It also did not take too long for the teachings of Christ to be twisted into some horrific violence as well and both were done in the name of God. However Judaism and Christianity are no longer approaching the matter of war or punishment in this manner. They are not stoning beheading mutilating etc as a form of control or punishment. There is an element of free will in Christianity and contemporary Judaism. When the military kills it is not for God it is for their country and the survival of themselves and their comrades in arms. The bottom line is as long as there is an aggressor there will be someone forced to fight back or submit. Using religion which should in my opinion only be used as a spiritual ethical guide and for the purpose of support and love. Religion should never be used as an excuse to go to war because in my opinion it destroys the light the peace that spirituality can offer humans.
You have been given incorrect information about the beginning of the US. Separation of Church and State did not happen legally until the sixties. Although American founding fathers warned about allowing Churches to dictate legislation they did use Judeo Christian principles in structuring our government and cautioned the nation to in fact to use prayer as a guidance tool when making decisions. From what I can gather they avoided being sucked into any one Christian religion but thought Christian principles and prayer was a good guide for making good judgements. Then the sixties came and legislation was passed banning prayer in school etc and separating forever Church and State.
did anyone else notice the bombed out building (with the 10 comandments on the wall) how messed up that the U.S. (nato) bombed a church and says it is after bad guys... something has been wrong with this since we got involved...